Colorado Attorney General Cynthia H. Coffman Warns of Roofing and Other Home Repair Scams after Recent Storms

DENVER – In the wake of recent violent storms, Colorado Attorney General Cynthia H. Coffman is warning consumers to be on the lookout for fly-by-night roofing and home repair contractors who promise to do work, but take off with your money. Following epic hail storms across the metro area, the Attorney General advises consumers to be on the lookout for unscrupulous individuals and businesses appearing unannounced at their doors.

“Natural disasters always increase the number of roofing and other home repair scams. Unlicensed contractors and repair companies often canvas entire neighborhoods following large hail storms like we saw this week, promising to clean up broken trees and other debris, repair windows and siding, or repair damaged roofs. They claim to have a crew and supplies on hand to get started quickly, and typically offer a ‘special price’ if you will pay in cash in advance. Do not hire these door-to-door repairmen and contractors on the spot, and NEVER let them into your home or on to your roof for an ‘inspection,’” said Attorney General Coffman.

The Attorney General urged consumers to follow some basic tips to avoid roofing scams:

· Be suspicious of anyone coming to your home uninvited claiming to be a roofing or home repair contractor.

· If the person claims to be a public insurance adjuster, ask to see their current license from the Colorado Division of Insurance.

· Don’t fall for high pressure sales tactics, promises of special, limited time deals or demands for immediate payment before the work is started and completed.

· Before you spend any significant amount of money on a new roof or other home repairs, contact your insurance company yourself and arrange to have an authorized adjuster come to your home.

· Obtain bids from at least three different contractors and check each one with organizations like your local Better Business Bureau.

Attorney General Coffman further advised that every homeowner to be aware that:

· Colorado law requires that a roofing contractor MUST provide a written contract that includes: the approximate dates of service; the approximate costs of the services; the roofing contractor’s contact information; identification of the roofing contractor’s surety and liability coverage insurer; and information regarding the consumer’s right to rescind the contract within seventy-two hours if their insurance company denies the claim.

· A roofing contractor MUST state on its face, in bold-type, that the roofing contractor “shall hold in trust any payment from the property owner until the roofing contractor has delivered roofing materials at the residential property site or has performed a majority of the roofing work on the residential property.”

“Natural disasters affect everyone in a community,” said Attorney General Coffman. “That’s why it is so important to be on the lookout for individuals trolling your neighborhood looking to make a quick buck from shoddy or non-existent home repair or roofing scams. I would especially urge Coloradans to share this information with vulnerable or elderly neighbors.”

If you suspect fraudulent contractors working in your neighborhood, do your homework and visit www.StopFraudColorado.gov to learn about common types of fraud, get tips on how to avoid becoming a victim of fraud and easily report fraud, or report fraud by calling 1-800-222-4444.